Applying to college is stressful enough, but imagine doing it in three different countries! Marta from 4M is a DP2 student who took on the challenge of applying to universities in France, the UK, and the US,all while perfectly balancing her IB studies. In this interview, Marta shares her experience through navigating different application procedures, the biggest challenges that she has faced, her extracurricular activities, as well as advice for other students considering studying abroad.
Background
Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us which colleges you applied to and in which countries? Was it based on the programs, culture, or something else?
“My name is Marta, and I’m a DP2 student, hoping to study abroad. I’m interested in studying cultural policy, and am also interested in economics. I applied to universities in the United States, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom. Certain universities I applied to because the field of study I am interested in (as well as the possibility to combine multiple areas of study, and not only focus on one area) is not offered by many universities. I chose the universities based on unique programs which combine political science and economics. Something I also like about the US is that you don’t have to declare your major in the first year, but in the second. So, for example, in the first year I could take subjects focused on history, and then still choose economics as my major in the second year. This approach is also offered by the Dual BA Program between Columbia University (New York City, USA) and Sciences Po (Paris, France), that I also applied to. At the University of Amsterdam I also applied to a PPLE program (politics, psychology, law, and economics), where I also get to choose my main focus in the second year.”
How did you decide on the courses or programs you wanted to pursue?
“This was quite a rough part of the process. At first, I was interested in architecture, but then I realised that it wasn’t what I really wanted to spend my life doing. I realized that I’ve always been interested in political science, but I also have a strong interest for the arts (mostly film). I decided that arts is something I would focus on later in life, and that, right now, I would study political science and economics, as I am interested in them, but also think that they are something I can live off of, which is a good balance.
Application Process
How did the application processes in each country differ from each other (ex: application platforms, required documents, etc)?
“So, I would say that universities in the US definitely required the most. You need (or should have) the SAT, three recommendations, your predicted grades, and essays. Whereas for the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po, I needed pretty much the same things as for the universities in the US, except I didn’t need a recommendation letter from our coordinator, and the essays are quite direct (and not creative writing). For the regular Sciences Po the requirements are very similar.”
Can you walk us through your experience applying to universities in the UK? How did it compare to applying in the US?
“Well, in the UK, I only applied to Trinity College in Dublin, so I can only speak for that. From my experience, their website is extremely confusing and unorganized. On their website, I basically just marked myself as interested in the program, and then after I’ll get my results back from my finals, I will send it to them, and then they will decide. So, the whole process happens quite late there. As for the US, the process is very straightforward, and there are amazing resources out there with everything you need to know.”
You applied to French universities as well, did you encounter any unique requirements there compared to the other counties?
“No, it was all quite standard, and very similar to the others.”
What did you find most stressful or challenging about the application processes?
“Firstly, I would say the SAT, which requires a lot of preparation (about a month and a half in my case), is quite challenging. For the US, the essays were also quite demanding, I didn’t know what to write about at first. The other countries (in Europe) were a lot easier.”
How did you prepare for writing personal statements, essays, or motivation letters for each country and university?
“For the US, I thought about any interesting experiences I had throughout my life which I could connect to what I wanted to study. For the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po, they had very direct questions. I also talked to people who got in about what they wrote about, how to improve mine, etc.”
Resources
What platforms or websites did you find most helpful when applying? Were there any resources that helped you with applications for specific countries?
“For the US, I found the College Essay Guy very helpful. On the Common App, every university has their prompts, and the College Essay Guy has a great walk through for each one of them. For the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po I didn’t find anything very helpful. I would say that, overall, for college, Reddit is great, both for resources, and to hear other people’s stories and experiences.”
Interviews and Requirements
Were you required to do interviews for any of the universities? If so, how did you prepare for them, and were they what you expected?
“For the US, you get an interview based on availability. So if there is an alumni from that university in your country, they will reach out to you, and you will have an interview with them. I got an interview from Princeton and Harvard. For universities in Europe, you have “levels” you need to pass, in order to get to the next one. With the essay you pass onto the entrance exam, then with the entrance exam you pass onto the interview, and so on. In regards to preparation for the interviews, I basically just went through my CV and essays, and prepared a brief story about myself and what I want to study. It really isn’t hard, this is just so that they can get to know you better.”
Did any universities have special requirements (like a portfolio or additional tests)?
“Not really, no. I know that if you’re applying for arts, then you do have to submit a portfolio or something of the sort, but I didn’t apply to those fields, so no. As far as additional tests go, there is an entrance exam coming up for the University of Amsterdam, and, of course, I took the SAT for the US.”
Did you have any extracurricular activities that you included in your applications?
“Firstly, this year I established a cultural club at our school where I brought in guest speakers (such as the Videobox movie and some smaller discussions) and gathered over 30 students. I’m also the class president, so I mentioned some of the fundraising initiatives we organized. Then, I volunteered at Gong, which is a non-governmental organization that promotes civic participation in politics. I was also part of the panel of judges for the Zagreb Film Festival and the European Film Academy. I’m also the school’s yearbook photographer. Then, I was also part of the European Youth Parliament (they have sessions such as the regional, national, and international session), and I was invited to the national session. I was also a volunteer advisor in the Psychological Center for an emotional support group. I’ve also volunteered at various film festivals. Additionally, I had an unpaid internship at an art museum. Then, I also conducted an independent research paper with my history teacher where I interviewed the president of the Jewish National Minority in Croatia. I was also part of a Spanish exchange program in high school. Lastly, I competed in French competitions throughout both primary school and high school (where I was in the top 10).”
Challenges
How did you manage your time and balance your IB studies while working on your college applications?
“I was just very organized and divided my time up really well. I would work on things for college one day, the next day I would work on my school assignments, and the third day I would take a break, and repeat the cycle.”
Choosing the Right Fit
How did you narrow down the universities you would most likely chooseonce you were offered places?
“It would definitely have to be the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po for me. Firstly, I wouldn’t have to move so far away initially (as I would spend the first two years in France), I know the language, I’m very interested in the program, I get to spend the second two years in the US, I can study something else then if I want to too, and it isn’t as expensive as studying in the US for four years.”
What factors influenced your decision the most (location, campus life, program strength, cost)?
“Like I mentioned, the location isn’t too far, but far enough to become independent. I know the language, the town is very student oriented, I’m very fond of the program, and I don’t have to choose my major immediately.”
Advice
What advice would you give to students thinking about applying to universities abroad?
“I would say that the main thing is to start thinking about the whole thing and what you want quite early. Don’t stress, but try and think about something where you could find a good balance between something that you enjoy and something you can live off of. Don’t forget that you don’t have to spend your entire life doing something related to what you studied (having that in mind really helped me). Also, if you plan on taking the SAT, do it early on (during your second or third grade). Make sure to have good grades as well!”
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in your application process?
“Nothing in particular really comes to mind, maybe just to have started a bit earlier and not to have procrastinated as much.”
What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting your college applications abroad?
“Probably knowing that I would’ve been capable of taking the SAT in second grade, as mentioned. I also wish someone had told me that it really isn’t that scary and to be more confident in myself.”
Additional Questions
Have you visited any of the universities you applied to? What was your impression of the campus and environment?
“I’ve been in all of the countries and most of the cities where I applied to, but I haven’t visited the actual campuses except for the NYU Film Campus (Tisch School Of The Arts), which I did visit.”
What are you most excited about when it comes to studying abroad?
“I would say that it would definitely be meeting new people, as well as living somewhere where I never have before.”
Marta’s journey through the college application process has been nothing short of impressive. From navigating different application systems across multiple countries to balancing her IB studies while maintaining remarkable results, she has shown outstanding resilience and organization. Her advice stands as a valuable guide for any student considering studying abroad. No matter where Marta ends up, it is certain that her future is bright!
